THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHISM PROPAGATION OF SANGHAS IN PHOTHARAM DISTRICT, RATCHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the level of Buddhism propagation of Sanghas in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, 2) to compare the Buddhism propagation of Sanghas in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province by classifying according to personal factors and 3) to study problems, obstacles and suggestions for the development of Buddhism propagation of Sanghas of Sangha in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province. The research methodology was a mixed method research. In part of quantitative research, a questionnaire was used as a tool to collect field data from 256 monks in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, and data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, hypothesis testing by T-test, F-test, one-way ANOVA and in part of qualitative research, document analysis and interview forms were used as the tools to collect field data from 9 key informants and analyzed the data using contextual content analysis techniques. The results showed that; 1) The level of Buddhism propagation of Sanghas in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, in general, was at the highest level of practice and when considering individually, it was found that the practice was at the highest level in all 3 aspects, namely, techniques and methods of Buddhism propagation, qualifications of Buddhism propagators, and policies and principles of Buddhism propagation. 2) The comparative results of Buddhism propagation of Sanghas in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, classified by personal factors, it was found that the personal factors such as age, years of ordination and duration of affiliation to the Sanghas of Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province were different with statistical significance at the 0.01 therefore, the research hypothesis was accepted. As for ordinary educational qualifications, it was showed that opinions towards the Buddhism propagation of Sanghas in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province was no difference therefore, the research hypothesis was rejected. 3) The problems and obstacles included lack of a thorough Dhamma knowledge, lack of the use of online technology as a tool, lack of government support, lack of clear patterns, making false beliefs from the principles of Buddhism. The suggestions were that monks should be selected from who lived in monkhood and discipline, sacrificing, have knowledge and ability, compassion, not seeking for praise fortune, speak respectfully, develop monks to understand the principles and religious rite clearly, propagate with modern technology, propagate to people of all genders and ages and to plan the propagation according to the religious reform policy of the Sangha Supreme Council.